Panorama South

CLICK HERE: TODAY'S PHOTO ALBUM

Wow what a thunderstorm last night.  The noise was deafening. The sun was in and out all day long.  We managed to leave Irene View Estates around 8:30. Had a nice morning chat with Louise and Willy - pretty much the same old topics of politics. Louise travels to the states quite a bit so she really has some sympathy for us poor Americans trapped in bizarro world.  It was a shame we were only with them one night, but I wouldn't be surprised if they show up on our doorstep one of these days.

We had a very long drive ahead of us. Tonight we are staying at the African Silk Farm, which houses a couple of suites.  It is literally in the middle of nowhere.  Our first couple of hours driving were strictly highway.  Much greener than in the south but nevertheless a bit boring.  We have some issues with this car.  I couldn't get the bluetooth or the usb working to play our music. Very frustrating. The scenery picked up when we turned off at Belfast and headed to Dulstroom.  This is trout territory.  The first thing you see when you pull into town is the Fly Fishing Shop.  Had to check his out. In the shop there was a leather shop where they were busy making bags and such.  The young woman was the official fly tier and she was wrapping up her wares. 

Dullstroom seemed pretty busy as we drove out of town and on to Lydenberg. Here we needed to make a decision - whether to go on the Panorama or take the highway around to the inn.  It was still pretty cloudy on and off.  Of course, we chose the Panorama, going around the southern side.  Up we went over Long Tom's Pass to the "Highest Point in the Road" - whatever that's supposed to mean.  Stopped along the way for some photo ops.  The road between Dullstroom and Lydenberg is strewn with potholes the size that would swallow a Volkswagon - oops! that's what we're driving.  Willie had warned us, as did Elmore about these dangerous potholes.  It seemed to us that a lot had been patched up.  Except, of course, the one that Geoff did hit and one of the hubcaps went flying. What do we do now??  Decided to turn around and try to find it.  Made a u-ey and headed back to the scene of the crime. "There it is" he yelled.  Geoff pulled off to the side of the road - crossed to the other side and found the hubcap in a gully.  He came back with two in his hands.  The exact same VW hubcap. Now we have a spare!  I have no idea how he spotted that in the gully but he did. 

We were back on the road again. We stopped to take a shot of Long Tom's Memorial Cannon and fort.  Next stop, MacMac Pools.  We pulled into the toll and it was going to cost of 40 Rand just to look at some pools of water with a bunch of families around having picnics - it being Saturday afternoon and all.  We opted out of that and drove down the road to MacMac Falls.  This was only 20 rand and we got to see something.  Walked through the little craft market down to the falls.  We were all alone and it was quite peaceful.  Back in the car and on to the b&b.  On the way, we stopped at the Graskop Gorge lift.  This is an actual lift - elevator- that takes you down into the gorge.  It was not working today.  We will try tomorrow.  If it's now working, I'll get photos at least. 

The African Silk Farm is 23km from Graskop and 3 very long km on a very bumpy, twisty, dirt road. Finally got here around 4:30.  Mpol was here to greet us.  One question, "where do we get dinner"?  He took us down to the restaurant and this wonderful woman took our order.  She will deliver it to our room at 5:30. She is going home at 6.  Fine.  Mpol showed us to our room.  Another wonderful hideaway with an outdoor jacuzzi tub with a spectacular view.  We have kitchen facilities so tomorrow we can either have dinner before we come back or make something simple here. The dinner menu here is extremely basic and consists mainly of meat.  I had the grilled tomato and cheese to give you some kind of idea.

Geoff has been outside working on trying to get the bluetooth in the car to work.  Success!! Not sure how, but he figured it out.  This will help a lot - we have quite a bit more driving to do in this car. The meal came right on time and we are now very comfortable and fully sated.  There is even a complimentary bottle of wine -- that I am very grateful for.

This is a very active silk farm.  Hopefully, we will get a chance to take the tour.  Tomorrow we will do the northern loop of the Panorama.  We were fortunate today with the weather.  I hope our luck holds out. 

Absolutely no service down where our suite is - wifi or otherwise.  Have to take this up to the dining area in the morning and see if I get a signal up there.


CLICK HERE: TODAY'S PHOTO ALBUM


Next time... Panorama North